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Buchanan Computing has released the latest 3.4 version of the UK’s most popular traffic sign design software, with improvements that now make bus lane signs easy and address sign illumination issues.

Buchanan’s SignPlot software system has covered the complete range of the UK Department for Transportation’s (DfT) Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD 2016) signs since before those regulations came into effect in May last year. The new enhancements therefore focus on making bus lane and other signs quicker to design, helping answer questions about whether a sign requires lighting under the legislation, and providing for future innovations in signing technology.

SignPlot is the most widely used computer system for designing and manufacturing UK traffic signs. It is in regular use by the DfT, including for producing illustrations in TSRGD and new versions of the Traffic Signs Manual, and is the only system that does not require the use of CAD software.

With the latest SignPlot upgrades, bus lane signs are now created simply by ticking the relevant options and entering enforcement hours in note form. This even works for offside bus lanes and bilingual signs in Wales and, as for all SignPlot dialogues, users will see immediately the results of their selections and can recall the form later to make changes. Other enhancements to the 3.4 version include an easy way to add a junction name or other header to a sign, and improved depiction of ghost or hollow arms on signs showing how to avoid a banned turn. Buchanan says SignPlot 3.4 is now ready to be downloaded by those with current support contracts, and the Sign Illumination Tool may be downloaded free of charge by anyone.

Buchanan’s range of products for highway and traffic engineers and the police are the UK’s best-selling systems for traffic sign design (SignPlot), traffic order management (ParkMap), and road collision analysis (AccsMap). The company is keen to highlight that SignPlot is the only system to fully automate the layout and spacing rules of the DfT’s Traffic Signs Regulations and Traffic Signs Manual, and it remains the only system to automate the complete range of signs introduced in the 2016 TSRGD, such as those for temporary lane closures, ‘tiger tails’ and lane bifurcations, and the new options for parking plates.

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